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International Journal of Bioprinting Nozzle optimization for multi-ink bioprinting

printing progress and automatically adjusts parameters Author contributions
could be invaluable for achieving higher resolution in Conceptualization: Mitsuyuki Hidaka, Shinji Sakai
3D bioprinting. This integrated approach, combining Formal analysis: Mitsuyuki Hidaka
advanced nozzle design, precise bioink control, and Investigation: Mitsuyuki Hidaka
feedback systems, represents a significant step forward in Methodology: Mitsuyuki Hidaka
producing complex, high-resolution 3D structures suitable Project administration: Shinji Sakai
for tissue engineering and other advanced applications. 48 Supervision: Shinji Sakai
Visualization: Mitsuyuki Hidaka, Masaru Kojima
5. Conclusion Writing–original draft: Mitsuyuki Hidaka
Switching efficiency (Se) was used to evaluate the influence Writing–review & editing: All authors
of the nozzle shape and ink viscosity on liquid behavior
within a nozzle, aiming to achieve high switching efficiency Ethics approval and consent to participate
in multi-ink printing with a single nozzle. Numerical Not applicable.
simulations were conducted to analyze the fluid dynamics
inside the nozzle, and these results were then validated Consent for publication
against experimental findings. The correlation between the
simulation and experimental outcomes highlighted the use Not applicable.
of Se in assessing the ink behavior within a single nozzle. Availability of data
Our study confirmed that both the nozzle design and ink
viscosity are critical factors in efficiently switching between Data is available from the corresponding author upon
different viscous inks. Based on these findings, innovative reasonable request.
single nozzle designs were developed through numerical
simulation. Then, these newly designed nozzles were References
utilized to print line structures with bioinks of varying
viscosities. The nozzles designed through this process 1. Oropallo W, Piegl LA. Ten challenges in 3D printing. Eng
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demonstrated a reduced transition length compared doi: 10.1007/s00366-015-0407-0.
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our knowledge, this study is the first to employ numerical 3D printing technologies for food fabrication. Food Bioproc
Tech. 2015;8(8):1605-1615.
simulation to enhance the design of a single nozzle for doi: 10.1007/s11947-015-1528-6.
bioprinting applications. The successful application of
Se as a metric and the subsequent redesign of the nozzle 3. Duan B. State-of-the-art review of 3D bioprinting for
have potential implications for advancing the field of cardiovascular tissue engineering. Ann Biomed Eng.
2017;45(1): 195-209.
bioprinting, offering more precise and efficient methods doi: 10.1007/s10439-016-1607-5
for creating complex tissue structures.
4. Ng WL, Chua CK, Shen YF. Print me an organ! Why we are
Acknowledgments not there yet. Prog Polym Sci. 2019;97:101145.
doi: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2019.101145
None. 5. Singh S, Choudhury D, Yu F, Mironov V, Naing MW. In situ
bioprinting – bioprinting from benchside to bedside? Acta
Funding Biomater. 2020;101:14-25.
This work was supported by the following sources: doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.08.045
JST SPRING (Grant Number JPMJSP2138) and JSPS 6. Vithani K, Goyanes A, Jannin V, Basit AW, Gaisford S,
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Conflict of interest delivery systems. Pharm Res. 2019;36(1):4.
doi: 10.1007/s11095-018-2531-1
Shinji Sakai serves as the Editorial Board Member of the 7. Ramesh S, Harrysson OLA, Rao PK, et al. Extrusion
journal, but did not in any way involve in the editorial and bioprinting: recent progress, challenges, and future
peer-review process conducted for this paper, directly or opportunities. Bioprinting. 2021;21:e00116.
indirectly. Other authors declare no conflicts of interest. doi: 10.1016/j.bprint.2020.e00116

Volume 10 Issue 5 (2024) 165 doi: 10.36922/ijb.4091